Most RJD MPs, MLAs quit over MNS vs North Indian row

Patna: In line with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's call for resignation of elected representatives from Bihar against the anti-north Indian violence by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) in Maharashtra, the party legislators and parliamentarians have started submitting their resignation letters to the party leadership.

Till Tuesday , 75 per cent of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members, and nearly 35 of its 55 MLAs and eight of 15 MLCs have submitted their letters of resignation, RJD spokesperson Shyam Rajak said.

Lalu called for resignation by all MPs and legislators following anti-North Indian violence.

Rajak said that all RJD MPs and members of the two houses of state legislature would submit their resignation by November 15, the date Lalu Prasad had fixed for putting in their papers. The party has 24 members in the Lok Sabha and four in the Rajya Sabha.

"Premchand Gupta, Akhilesh Singh, Rajniti Prasad were among the MPs, who have put in their papers. The first two are Union Ministers. Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Rabri Devi and senior leaders including Ramai Ram, Krishnandan Verma and myself have submitted our resignations to Laluji", Rajak said, adding that the rest could not submit their papers due to the Chhath festival and would do it soon.

Earlier, on Sunday last, Lalu Prasad had called for resignation by all MPs and legislators from Bihar to put pressure on the Maharashtra government to check anti-north Indian violence and mobilise public opinion against divisive forces like the MNS.

The proposal was, however, rejected the same day by the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who contended that it would result into imposition of President's rule in Bihar.

"As victims, we have sought central rule in Maharashtra, but if we accept Lalu's suggestion, Bihar will come under President's rule," Nitish Kumar had said.